Published March 1977 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd A Starring Role for the Lowly Potato In the sixteenth century, Spanish explorers in South America discovered a new kind of food-a vegetable which grew profusely underground, which could be stored for long periods of time, and which tasted just fine-either boiled or baked. Fortunately for the world, those early adventurers found room to pack a few potatoes along with the gold and Inca treasures they took home. The rulers were delighted to get the gold-and farmers were glad to get the potatoes! That introduction of a new, fast-growing food staple to the diet of Europeans made a real difference. For the first time, a farmer with a very small piece of land could grow enough food for a large family. Historians still argue over whether or not the plain old potato sparked the industrial revolution as a result of the population growth! We all know that the potato changed the history of Ireland. We don't often remember that it was important to the history of the United States, as well. For the colonists and pioneers, this good staple became as American as apple pie! The real power of the potato lies in its high protein content per acre of food produced. In a protein scale used by most world food planners, eggs receive a perfect score of 100, most meat scores in the 80's, and the potato rates at 71-higher than wheat or rice or beans. An acre of potatoes will fill seven people's protein needs for a year-an acre of wheat only feeds three! In recent years, the potato has had to fight snobbishness. "Just plain potatoes" have been replaced by exotic pastas and oriental rices. Now, however, our old friend, the potato, is coming into the limelight again. The New York Times has reported that explorers in Peru are searching for ancient Inca treasure-a blight-free potato which will grow even in hot climates. One researcher believes he has found that treasure, and is testing it at the International Potato Center. If he is right, the lowly potato will once again make history around the globe. In West Virginia, farmers who have worked hard to develop stronger and better potato strains may suddenly find that coal is not the only treasure in our West Virginia soil! Mar 9 1977